753results about How to "Minimize occurrence" patented technology

Improved devices, systems, and methods for inhibiting hyperplasia in blood vessels provide controlled and safe cryotherapy treatment of a target portion within a body lumen of a patient. Efficacy of endoluminal cryogenic cooling can be enhanced by limiting cooling of target tissues using a thermal barrier disposed between a dual balloon cryotherapy catheter. Containment of both balloons can be monitored by applying a vacuum within a space between the first and second balloons, and by coupling the vacuum space to a fluid shutoff so as to inhibit flow of cryogenic fluid in response to a change in the vacuum space. Controlled cooling of the vessel can be improved by use of a nebulizer in fluid communication with a cryogenic liquid supply lumen and a gas supply lumen.

In one form of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming a wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: targeting apparatus for identifying a cutting plane through the bone and a boundary line for terminating a cut made along the cutting plane, wherein the boundary line is located within the bone; and an apex pin for disposition along the boundary line for providing (i) a positive stop at the boundary line for limiting cutting along the cutting plane, and (ii) a cylindrical opening extending along the boundary line so as to minimize the occurrence of stress risers within the bone when the bone on either side of the cut is moved apart so as to form the wedge-like opening in the bone. In another form of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy, the method comprising: positioning targeting apparatus relative to the bone, so as to identify a cutting plane through the bone and a boundary line for terminating a cut made along the cutting plane, wherein the boundary line is located within the bone; and positioning an apex pin along the boundary line so as to provide (i) a positive stop at the boundary line for limiting cutting along the cutting plane, and (ii) a cylindrical opening extending along the boundary line so as to minimize the occurrence of stress risers within the bone when the bone on either side of the cut is moved apart so as to form the wedge-like opening in the bone; cutting the bone along the cutting plane, with the cut terminating at the boundary line; and moving the bone on either side of the cut apart so as to form the wedge-like opening in the bone.

The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components. In one aspect, the invention relates to optical methods, devices and device components for measuring two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both from a separation chamber of a density centrifuge. In embodiment, two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both measured by the methods of the present invention comprise images of a separation chamber or component thereof, such as an optical cell of a separation chamber. In another aspect, the present invention relates to multifunctional monitoring and control systems for blood processing, particularly blood processing via density centrifugation. Feedback control systems are provided wherein two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both are measured, processed in real time and are used as the basis of output signals for controlling blood processing. In another aspect, optical cells and methods of using optical cells for monitoring and control blood processing are provided.

There is provided a thin film transistor (TFT) capable of improving electron mobility and minimizing the occurrence of hysteresis due to traps. The TFT includes a channel layer and a gate insulating layer, wherein the channel layer is made of an oxide semiconductor. In the TFT, the gate insulating layer includes one or more first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer, and the first dielectric layer has a dielectric constant different from that of the second dielectric layer.

This invention provides methods, devices and device components for sensing, imaging and characterizing changes in the composition of a probe region. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and devices for detecting changes in the refractive index of a probe region positioned adjacent to a sensing surface, preferably a sensing surface comprising a thin conducting film supporting surface plasmon formation. In addition, the present invention provides methods and device for generating surface plasmons in a probe region and characterizing the composition of the probe region by generating one or more surface plasmon resonances curves and/or surface plasmon resonance images of the probe region.

A respiratory treatment device comprising a flow generator and a humidifier adapted to receive a supply of air at positive pressure from the flow generator and deliver it to an air delivery tube, wherein the humidifier includes a base, a humidifier lid, and a water tank, and the water tank includes a water tank lid, the water tank is removably receivable in the base to define a first air flow path from the flow generator to an interior of the water tank, and the humidifier lid is connectable to the air delivery tube, and is adapted to form a seal with the water tank lid to define a second air flow path from the interior of the water tank to the air delivery tube.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a collagen material that possesses physical properties to an extent that allows suturing while still maintaining the biochemical properties inherently possessed by collagen, and retains its shape for a certain amount of time even after application to the body; its production process; and, a medical material on which it is based, examples of which include a artificial tube for nerve, artificial tube for spinal cord, artificial esophagus, artificial trachea, artificial blood vessel, artificial valve or alternative medical membranes such as artificial endocranium, artificial ligaments, artificial tendons, surgical sutures, surgical prostheses, surgical reinforcement, wound protecting materials, artificial skin and artificial cornea, characterized by filling or having inside a substance having biocompatibility that can be degraded and absorbed in the body into a matrix of a non-woven fabric-like multi-element structure of collagen fibers having ultra-fine fibers of collagen as its basic unit.

Disclosed is a method of performing a contention based access in a UE of a mobile communication system. The method includes: triggering a BSR to an ENB if data to be transmitted to the ENB occurs; and triggering the contention based access if the BSR has been triggered. The method can minimize collision between signals transmitted in the uplink by multiple UEs through contention based transmission resources in a mobile communication system.

Methods and devices for processing packets are provided. The processing device may Include an input interface for receiving data units containing header information of respective packets; a first module configurable to perform packet filtering based on the received data units; a second module configurable to perform traffic analysis based on the received data units; a third module configurable to perform load balancing based on the received data units; and a fourth module configurable to perform route lookups based on the received data units.

A solid free-form (SFF) method is used to manufacture a component from successive layers of feedstock material with low ductility. A plasma stream is created by energizing a flowing gas using an arc electrode, the arc electrode having a variable magnitude current supplied thereto. The plasma stream is directed to a predetermined targeted region to preheat the predetermined targeted region prior to deposition. The current is adjusted and the feedstock material is introduced into the plasma stream to deposit molten feedstock in the predetermined targeted region. The current is adjusted and the molten feedstock is slowly cooled at an elevated temperature, typically above the brittle to ductile transition temperature of the feedstock material, in a cooling phase to minimize the occurrence of material stresses.

Disclosed is a stent assembly for expanding in vivo vessels, the assembly comprising first and second radially expandable mesh stents, wherein the first stent is separated by a predetermined distance from the second stent and a stent jacket spans the predetermined distance such that a first end of the jacket is operatively associated with the first stent and a second end of the jacket is operatively associated with the second stent.

An intravascular device for keeping open a previously constricted site within a vessel and for minimizing tissue debris at such a site from closing off the vessel is provided. The device includes an expandable substantially tubular body defined by a framework having a plurality of openings. The device also includes a flexible netting system having a structural design for extending across each of the openings. Such a design allows the netting system to expand along with each opening in the framework to minimize release of tissues debris at the site from closing the lumen of the vessel. The netting system can include a plurality of pores to permit communication between fluid flow within the vessel and the vessel wall, and at least one pharmacotherapeutic agent for the treatment or prevention of certain conditions. A method for placing the device at a site of interest is also provided.

There is provided a display device capable of delivering adequate video display performance even when a lighting period of a backlight is varied in accordance with the content or the like of image data. The device has circuits (8050, 8060) for varying a lighting period of a backlight (8090) for illuminating a display panel (8010) in accordance with image data (8002), setting information (8003), and the like from an external device; and circuits (8070, 8080) for adjusting the timing of start (and turning off) of lighting of the backlight in accordance with the length of the lighting period.

An intravascular device for keeping open a previously constricted site within a vessel and for minimizing tissue debris at such a site from closing off the vessel is provided. The device includes an expandable substantially tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end. The device also includes a flexible netting system that is circumferentially disposed about the body, and extends beyond at least one of the distal end or proximal end. The netting system can expand along with the body to minimize release of tissues debris at the site from closing the lumen of the vessel. The netting system can include a plurality of pores to permit communication between fluid flow within the vessel and the vessel wall, and at least one pharmacotherapeutic agent for the treatment or prevention of certain conditions. A method for placing the device at a site of interest is also provided.

A flow generator and humidifier construction is described, including a flow generator construction adapted to reduce noise output compared to known flow generators of comparable size. The flow generator includes a chassis forming first and second muffler volumes and a venturi-shaped connection portion, and a metal/polymer composite material blower enclosure which suppresses noise from the blower. The flow generator may be programmed to include a reminder system including a menu from which the user may request a reminder to take specific action, e.g., replace a component, call a physician, and/or enter patient data card, etc.